SMB already import-shopping for Commissioner’s Cup

San Miguel has been absorbing heavy losses in the PBA on Tour preseason tournament due to a lack of players.

The Beermen are currently without injured Terrence Romeo, Mo Tautuaa, and Vic Manuel. Chris Ross and Marcio Lassiter are on leave, while June Mar Fajardo and CJ Perez are doing national duty with Gilas.

Thus, SMB is making do with just four regular players, some pickups, and 3X3 players in its PBA On Tour campaign. But it didn’t matter for coach Jorge Gallent.

What’s important is that his injured players will get plenty of rest for the regular season, which begins on October 15. Also this early, the Beermen are already shopping for an import.

“Iyung import namin Aug. 1 or the last week of August nandito na,” said Gallent. “Kasi kung mag-i-start ako ng Sept. 1, darating iyon Sept. 4 pa.”

“August 21 ang start ng practice pero hindi full. Every other day hanggang Sept. 4. Yun ang plano as of now,” said Gallent.

The season-opening tournament features imports who stand no taller than 6-foot-9, but Gallent said they are opting for a slightly shorter reinforcement.

“We’re trying to get a legit 6-7 or 6-8 na 3 or 4 para makalaro with June Mar. Kasi kapag kumuha kami ng 5 mahihirapan na naman,” he explained.

“Pag shooter, kapag malas mga locals makaka-contribute siya from the outside,” added Gallent. “Pag kukuha kami ng 5 wala na naman kaming shooter sa labas. Alam naman natin na si Marcio lang talaga reliable shooter dito.”

All those plans regarding SMB’s import should be mostly sorted out by next week.

“Pag-uusapan namin this Monday kung sino talaga. Kasi I just say names and then sina (team governor) Boss Robert (Non) tsaka si (team manager) Gene (Abanilla) ang kumakausap sa agents,” related Gallent.

“Meron ng mga candidates, tatlo, pero not in order yet,” Gallent also said.

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Source: Fast Break